2001
Threats
Fighting
Assault
Curfew Violation
Falsification
2002
Harrassment
Fighting
Theft
Assault x 3
Curfew Violation
Truancy
2003
Vandalism
Harrassment
Fighting
Curfew Violation
2004
Arson
Possession of Stolen Property, Marijuana, Alcohol
2 Fights
3 Assaults
Vehicular damage
Public Lewdness
Curfew Violation
2005
8 counts of Threats
Aggravated Menacing
Felonious Assault
Intoxication
Arson
2 Fights
Trespassing
Curfew Violation
2006
3 Fights
Sex Crime
Registered Unruly
Missing from home for days
Assault
Drugs
Truancy
Vehicular Damage
General Nuisance
Intoxication
Curfew Violation
2007 (and it's only March)
Truancy
Curfew Violation
Disorderly Conduct
Persistant Delinquency
Intoxication
Fighting
OK. You have read all that. Now, how about you re-read it and then I tell you the following information. The person that committed all those offenses? Just turned 14. That means that back when he started, he was only 8. Let's call him Child A.
Back in May of 2006, I wrote this post about how my son had been victimised by Child A and that last March, both my son and I were assaulted. Assualted by a different kid, but on the orders of Child A. I know! Who takes orders from a 13 year old?
Anyway, the court case is STILL going on. So far, I have been to the Juvenile Court 16 times. I pressed charges against a bunch of people:
The kid who actually assaulted us (16 years old). At the time of his appearance, he also plead guilty to 5 other charges of assault, trespassing and truancy. His sentence? 90 days in Juvenile Detention (DH) Level II. You want to know what Level II is? It means that he only has to serve 3 days if he behaves. 3 days for 7 charges of assault, trespassing and Truancy.
The kid who drove the car (17 years old). This went to trial but he was found guilty. His sentence? Community Service. He KNEW that if he hadn't driven the car the assaults would never have taken place yet still decided to drive.
The father of Child A who unbelievably was in the car that brought all the trouble. However, he refused to give a statement and the court decided that he really didn't do anything wrong. I mean, contributing to Juvenile Delinquency etc., no, that means nothing!
Child A. I saved the best till last. I know all about his history. Anyone living in my town more or less knows about him. I have all the paperwork about this kid (paperwork I intend to take to court with me). Now, I hate to see kids in trouble. I do, it makes me physically sick to hear of or see any kind of violent act done by or to a child. Yet my sympathy took a turn when it came to this kid. He has been on probation more times than anyone I know and he's only JUST 14. His parents obviously don't care as evidenced by the fact that his father was in the car with him. Whenever he has been asked to go for interviews at the Police Department, he doesn't turn up. In fact he went missing for 'a few days' and it was only after his mother realised that he had yet another court appointment that he would miss, that she went to the police department. She had no clue as to where he was or had been. At this time he was only 12. Parenting obviously missed it's turn when it came to her.
Don't get me wrong. My son is NOT an angel. Once he started to get into trouble, staying out without premission, drinking, etc., I took him straight up to the Juvenile Court. Not because I couldn't cope. I took him because he obviously didn't want to live by my rules, felt like he could do what he wanted and who gives a rat's arse about consequences? This way, he would have to live by the courts rules. It would be taken out of my hands. I had him put on probation and it was the best thing I could have done. He has so far stayed out of trouble. I made a decision, and stood by it. Child A's mother has done the complete opposite. He can do what he wants, when he wants, where he wants and with who he wants. Again, as evidenced by his history. If you haven't done anything to help a child, who at 8 years old is Falsifying Records, Making threats and is Truant from school more than 30 days a Semester then I'm sorry. That child should be taken off you. You should lose ALL parental rights.
Last month when I went to Juvenile Court for his case, it was to attend the trial. However, when I arrived, I was told that the Prosecutor was also charging him on a felonious assault that happened two years ago and that they were going to hear both cases at the same time (who knows why?) and they actually weren't ready for that case so mine would be put on hold until they were. Never mind that they didn't ask if I minded. Never mind the amount of times I have been back and forth to the court. Never mind that I had managed to get MY paperwork ready, Noooooo, THEY weren't ready with the other case so I would have to wait.
Again.
I have had to listen to this piece of crap make excuse after excuse about what happened, I've had to listen to his piece of garbage mother, blame MY son, saying that it was he that was harassing her son (I got copies of my son's cell phone records to show otherwise). I'm really getting to the end of my tether. Recently, I had another court date. I turned up ready, armed with my paperwork only to be told that he was changing his plea from Not Guilty to Guilty. Great! Or so I thought. I stayed, thinking that we would go into the courtroom, the room that we had a court time for of 9:30 am. But no. The Court Assistant said she would send me yet ANOTHER date in the mail for the hearing. I asked, why we couldn't just use the time we already had booked and she said "The Court doesn't work that way".
Have you ANY idea how embarassing it is, to walk up to the desk at Juvenile Court and before you can even open your mouth to announce your arrival, the receptionist says "Oh, Mrs Knapp, how are you?"
So, here is my question. My court date is June 15th. What should I do/say when it comes to my turn to speak? I have the paperwork ready. I will be speaking about what happened, his history yet what should I do to ensure that he won't simply be given 90 days Juvenile Detention at a Level II? How can I make sure that he is simply locked up until he is 18? This case has been going on for over a year. WELL over a year. Since this incident with my son and I, he has been in trouble 23 times with the police. How do I make sure that the court won't simply say "We'll give you one more chance?" or "Please, try and behave?"
Any advice will be taken.
I shall now end this rather long post, get a cup of tea and wait for your help :)
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